Crystal Palace have been one of the form teams in the Premier League this term and could now look to the top-flight for a Marc Guehi replacement.

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi responds to transfer speculation

Plenty of speculation followed Crystal Palace star Guehi around this summer. Nevertheless, a last-minute move to Liverpool fell through for the England international, who is out of contract at Selhurst Park in 2026.

In an open conversation surrounding his future, the former Chelsea man made it clear on international duty that his only priority at present is focusing on securing his place in England’s World Cup squad.

He said: “For me, it doesn’t really matter, to be honest. As long as I’m playing well and helping Palace, there’s definitely an opportunity for me to be here as I am today.

“Whether it’s sorted or not, it’s not really the most important thing to be honest. Personally, I don’t know if I can think that far ahead. I like to just take it step by step, and that is just focusing on the games that I have at Palace and any upcoming opportunities I have here.”

Oliver Glasner has also been targeted by Nottingham Forest due to being out of contract next summer. Ultimately, Crystal Palace are a club on the up, and others are keen to prize away their main assets after an excellent start to the Premier League campaign.

Rumours are unlikely to die down if success is continually delivered at Selhurst Park. Either way, putting contingencies in place to prepare for the future will be a key part of their upcoming plans.

With that in mind, Crystal Palace have identified a potential replacement for Guehi should clubs continue to make their interest in his services known.

Crystal Palace want to sign Max Kilman to replace Marc Guehi

According to Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey, Crystal Palace want to sign West Ham defender Max Kilman to replace Guehi, and they could now make a January move to try and secure his services.

However, any deal will be a difficult one to do amid Nuno Espírito Santo’s admiration towards the defender, who was a key part of his Wolverhampton Wanderers side when both worked together at Molineux.

Five similar players to Max Kilman (FBREF)

Scott McKenna

Dinamo Zagreb

Ko Itakura

Ajax

Marc-Oliver Kempf

Como

Kialonda

Lecce

Kevin Danso

Tottenham Hotspur

The London-born man is under contract at West Ham until 2031 and arrived at the Hammers for £40 million on a contract worth £100,000 per week, hence why it may take a significant push to tempt Kilman into crossing the divide.

Making eight appearances this term across all competitions, the 28-year-old has been ever-present on the left-hand side of their backline, and it now remains to be seen whether he would be open to a change of scenery.

Crystal Palace could well mount a credible challenge for the European places this term and Kilman could be tempted by the prospect of replacing such a key figure, though it will be interesting to see if Guehi is sold in January to make room.

It is also worth noting that quality strikers, like Villa’s Ollie Watkins, have called Kilman a “top player”.